STORRS — A vital component of the success of the UConn women's basketball program through the years has always been the Huskies' ability to put past frustrations behind them quickly.

By not getting caught up in revenge games, they've seldom allowed negative feelings to linger or feed off themselves. In a few rare instances, however, a little reflection can serve as a valuable motivational tool.

The Huskies have reached such a place in their rivalry with Notre Dame. Having lost four of their last five games to the Irish and having their season ended by Notre Dame each of the last two years, UConn is ready for redemption.

No. 1 UConn (12-0) hosts the No. 5 Irish (11-1) today at a sold-out Gampel Pavilion looking for a dramatically different outcome from last year's regular season finale in Connecticut, a 72-59 loss at the XL Center that proved to be one of the most embarrassing home losses in program history.

In last year's game, UConn failed to score over the final 7:23, and Coach Geno Auriemma pulled all his starters for the final 3:11.

"When you come here, any loss is a big disappointment," senior Kelly Faris said. "When they come in and just totally demolish you on your home court, that is more of an embarrassment. It was very frustrating. Obviously, we let ourselves down. We let our coaches down, let the fans down. All those put in one, it is a big ball of frustration."

There's been plenty of frustration at the hands of the Irish starting with a shocking 72-63 loss at the Indianapolis Final Four in 2011. After beating Notre Dame three straight games earlier that season, UConn allowed a 21-6 run in the second half of the national semifinal.

Then last season, the Irish won three of four games, ending UConn's season again in the national semifinals with an 83-75 overtime victory. UConn led twice by two points in the final minute before allowing Natalie Novosel to score on an offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds in regulation to force overtime where the Irish were clutch.

"They were really good when they needed to be and we sucked when we needed to,'' Auriemma said. "So you put those two things together and you've got one team winning four out of five. Last year we beat (outplayed) them at Notre Dame and lost the game. And then in the Final Four we beat (outplayed) them and lost the game. And then in the last regular season game they beat the hell out of us. How much is it because they're that much better and how much is it because we've done some dumb (stuff)?"

The Huskies haven't endured such a painstaking stretch against a single opponent since Tennessee beat them four out of five game from March 29, 1996 through Jan. 10, 1999. During that span, the Lady Vols ended the Huskies' season in back-to-back years with Elite Eight and Final Four victories.

The recent losses to Notre Dame have stung just as much, and opened the Huskies' eyes to their own deficiencies.

"It aggravates us to know the number of times we have played them and they beat us and outworked us, and played better," Stefanie Dolson said. "I think it wouldn't be as bad if we played great and they beat us, just knowing they are a better team. But every time we have played them and lost it has been because they outworked us and played harder."

There was plenty to be learned from the recent slump against Notre Dame, and it motivated the Huskies to get a lot better during the offseason.

"I think a lot of people grew up and changed their mindset," Faris said. "Sometimes it takes some players longer than others to kind of see it and have that 'ah hah' moment. I think that hit some of our younger players. They went home over the summer and they worked real hard. They came into this season having a different mindset."

As a result, the Huskies came back a deeper, more mature, focused and talented team. But despite losing three starters to graduation, the Irish have returned as a very strong team. Buoyed by the return of Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride and the addition of freshman phenom Jewell Loyd, the Irish are 11-1 with their only loss to Baylor.

Faris expects the game to be a dogfight, and she's determined not to let the Huskies be embarrassed again by letting the Irish play with more effort.

"Notre Dame is probably going to come in here thinking about last year and how they won all those games, and they are going to be pretty confident, as well," Faris said. "Last year it was a horrible run for us. And this year we are looking to make it different. It is going to come down to the little stuff. It was embarrassing last year, because that is stuff you can't coach. That has got to come from within, and it is pretty much a big disappointment to a lot of people if that is how you lose. We don't want to lose like that again."

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.